South Korea’s government approved a comprehensive five-year national cancer control plan on Thursday, outlining a strategy to improve prevention, screening, treatment, and post-treatment care for all citizens. The plan, dubbed “Cancer Management for All, a Healthier Future,” encompasses 68 specific tasks across four key areas, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The initiative comes as cancer remains the leading cause of death in South Korea. The government aims to reduce the burden of the disease through a series of reforms, including adjustments to the national cancer screening program. Currently, fecal occult blood tests are administered annually to individuals aged 50 and over for colorectal cancer screening. The new plan proposes lowering the screening age to 45 and transitioning to colonoscopy screenings every ten years.
Lung cancer screening will too be expanded. Existing guidelines target high-risk individuals – those aged 54 to 74 with a smoking history of 30 pack-years or more. The government intends to broaden eligibility criteria, citing considerations of international practices and domestic conditions. The plan also emphasizes the importance of follow-up care after cancer screenings, with the development of standardized criteria for post-diagnosis management and phased implementation of aftercare protocols.
Addressing disparities in access to care is a central component of the plan. The government will increase outreach to those eligible for medical aid and improve access to screenings for vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities. Efforts will also be made to strengthen regional cancer centers, fostering collaboration and reducing geographical imbalances in treatment availability. This will include establishing a pilot program to promote clinical cooperation among centers.
The plan further prioritizes public awareness campaigns regarding the harmful effects of tobacco and the promotion of healthy dietary habits. Development of clinical practice guidelines for geriatric oncology and standardization of treatment protocols for early-onset cancers are also included. According to the National Cancer Center, the fourth national cancer management plan, implemented in 2021, has already contributed to increased cancer survival rates, rising from 42.9% in 1995 to 70.3% in 2018. The government aims to build on this progress with the new, expanded strategy.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare convened the first National Cancer Committee meeting of 2026 on February 24th to deliberate and approve the fifth national cancer management plan (2026-2030). No timeline for the implementation of the expanded lung cancer screening criteria has been announced.
